Top 50 of 2024 / #40-36: Genre Icons Making a Comeback, More Aussie Music and Girls

If you like Aussie music, this block of songs is for you. There is not one, but TWO Aussie tracks in this section. Thus far we have had 4 Aussie tracks make the top 50 and there will be more. It may not get to the heights of G Flip in 2023, but there is a lot of Aussie music crushing it…and we may even hear from G Flip later. But for now, let’s get into some great music.

40. Willie Nelson: Made in Texas

Willie Nelson is 91 and is still putting out music. I am far younger and want a parade if I can jog a mile without walking…I need to up my game. Each year we think we have a final Willie record only to get another release. Made in Texas is a bare bones country rock tune about pride in where you’re from and identity. Most importantly, Willie Nelson rocks on this track.

39. Luke Hemmings: Shakes

Australia is going through a lush pop phase with acts like Kid Laroi, Troye Sivan and now Luke Hemmings. Luke has a bit more Coldplay in him than the other two, but his wide vocal range and lush vocal texture are standouts on this track. His record Boy is about classic themes of love, desire and regret and is doing extremely well. The musical depth and warmth of Shakes promises that this will not be the last we see of Luke on top 50s moving forward.

38. Kendrick Lamar: Not Like Us

The Drake vs Kendrick beef was not only fun to watch from a distance, but proved that Kendrick is the hip hop champion. Originally, this track was higher on the list, but then Kendrick released GNX and things needed to be changed. Not Like Us was a cultural sensation and some of Kendrick’s biggest bars…I mean…”Tryina strike a cord and it’s probably A minor” is going to live in hip hop / diss track lore forever. Great beats, great bars and the best diss track ever made all combined to make this a no brainer for the top 50.

37. Pearl Jam: Dark Matter

Much like The Cure, Pearl Jam remain timeless and Eddie’s vocals have not aged a bit. Also, like The Cure the band has drifted in their latest records and felt like they were searching for their sound. The title track to Dark Matter is a tour de force and is the band back to its 1990s best, but with enough modern twists to stay relevant. The off the charts energy, Eddie’s soaring vocals and McCready’s killer riffs are all there…but there’s more. There is more of an urgency to it, which is compelling. Pearl Jam is an incredibly tight band who love making music, which shows on this track.

36. Kid Laroi: Girls

We are ending this block with another rising Aussie pop star and also ground zero for the new lush pop movement in Australia. Ever since his track with Bieber, Kid Laroi has gone onto the Barbie soundtrack and huge tour audiences. His latest track Girls sees Kid Laroi keep his core lush vocal, but with a little more punk edge. It’s like he spent some time in the Aussie outback and hung out with Mad Max. Beats are far sharper, his vocal has more edge and the track overall is more mature than his previous work. I love Kid Laroi and I hope to have him on top 50s for years to come.